São Gonçalo hosts its first Storytelling Festival on April 8–9, 2026, with free workshops, live performances, and literary activities for children and youth.
The city of São Gonçalo, in Rio de Janeiro state, will be transformed into a fairy tale setting on April 8 and 9, 2026. The 1st Storytelling Festival — free and open to all — takes place at Clube Tamarilândia, in the Porto Novo neighborhood, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “The Enchantments of Fairy Tales.”
The event goes far beyond entertainment. Its core mission is to spark a love of reading, nurture creativity, and strengthen young people’s connection to both oral and written culture. Organizers expect around 400 attendees across the two days.
Two days of storytelling, workshops, and music
Children, teenagers, students, teachers, and families will find a welcoming, interactive atmosphere throughout the festival. The program includes live storytelling, recreational literary workshops, roundtable discussions, and talks. Partnerships with public schools and social organizations further expand the festival’s reach across the community.
The closing ceremony on the second day features a live musical performance by Fred Tavares and a special poetry reading — a tender and memorable way to bring the festival to a close.
The voices behind the vision
“The Storytelling Festival was born from the desire to create a space where imagination is free and literature is celebrated. We believe a well-told story has the power to transform the way a child sees the world.”
Danielle Bragança, general coordinator
“Producing this festival is making a collective dream come true. Every detail was crafted with care so that the audience feels as if they are inside a real fairy tale. Seeing enchanted, creative children is our greatest reward.”
Yonara Costa, event curator
The project has the institutional support of the Instituto dos Sonhos. Its founder and social activist, Rafael Vieira, sees the initiative as a commitment to social transformation through culture: “The Storytelling Festival plants seeds of imagination, empathy, and love of reading in new generations.”
The festival is produced with support from the Brazilian Federal Government, the Ministry of Culture, the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and the State Secretariat for Culture and the Creative Economy, through the Aldir Blanc National Policy.
Event Info
- Event: 1st Storytelling Festival (1º Festival de Contação de Histórias)
- Venue: Clube Tamarilândia — Rua José do Patrocínio, 86, Porto Novo, São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro
- Dates: April 8 and 9, 2026 (Wednesday and Thursday)
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Admission: Free
